NEW products ELECTROLESS NICKEL Technic has released the Technic EN AT 5600, an electroless nickel devel- oped specifically to eliminate black pad and improve soldering on ENIG-coated PCBs. Technic EN AT 5600 is the first electroless nickel that provides lateral growth on cop- per, yielding a flatter surface with less pronounced grain boundaries instead of the typical “cauliflower- like” structure from older formulas. Grain boundaries are where corro- sion products initiate, and under worst-case conditions can become black pad. Technic EN AT 5600 also features a unique additive system that pro- duces excellent solution stability throughout its bath life, eliminating the need for any break-in periods. This provides significant overall cost savings by preventing plate out, increasing bath life and eliminating the use of dummy plating required by other systems. Technic EN AT 5600 has been engineered to provide a cost-effective solution while improving soldering and eliminat- ing defects. “Conversion to lead-free alloys in electronics has narrowed the operat- ing window on the assembly process, making it more important than ever to have a pristine surface for solder- ing,” said Eric Stafstrom, Technic Global Product Manager. “By pro- viding a flatter surface, Technic EN AT5600 is the only ENIG process that provides a substantially better surface to solder to.” For more information, please visit www.technic.com. HIGH LOAD CAPACITY OSCILLATOR The new oscillator for automated powder coating operations from Nordson Corporation is a 450 mm stroke oscillator that provides man- ufacturers with a high payload capacity of 80 kg and a maximum stroke speed of 40 cycles per minute. These two features combined trans- late into 16 guns and high line speeds allowing for tall parts or part racks and high line speeds. Incorporating a simplified design, the Nordson oscillator features a pneumatic cylinder with accumula- tor counter-balance that results in energy efficiency, low wear, and long life of all moving parts. The counter balance prevents drifting of the machine when stopped. The pneu- matic cylinder provides air cushion- ing for the gear box and crank arm, resulting in less wear and longer life. This unique design from Nordson also allows the motor to run more efficiently, resulting in lower operat- ing costs. The Nordson oscillator is available with integrated variable-speed drive that can be machine mounted or remotely located in the main system control panel for easy control and adjustment of oscillator stroke speed. Incorporating a plug-and- play design, the global oscillator requires simple connections for quick-and-easy installation and start-up. Its new gun bars and clamps are also compatible with Nordson reciprocators, eliminating handles to provide a clean and styl- ized appearance. For more information, visit www.nordson.com. AUTOMATIC SPRAY GUN Nordson Corporation has intro- duced the Quattro automatic spray gun, incorporating fast cycling, fine atomization and easy maintenance for higher productivity and improved finish quality in air- less painting applications. The stainless-steel Nordson Quattro gun can be used for general finishing in either non-circulating or circulating heated airless applica- tions. It features a four-in-one valve design to enhance automatic color changing without having to reposi- tion the spray gun. Up to four differ- ent colors can be used in the gun, or three colors and a flushing solvent. Quattro guns produce fine atomiza- tion and a soft, controllable spray to deliver excellent finish quality with minimal overspray. Using Nordson nozzles, the gun can provide improved atomization with a wide range of coating materials, includ- ing high solids and other difficult- to-spray coatings for minimal paint waste. An optional Nordson heater is available to reduce and control material viscosity for improved oper- ating performance and efficiency. The Quattro gun incorporates a 46 I metalfinishing I January/February 2012 www.metalfinishing.com
Transcript
NEWproductsELECTROLESS NICKELTechnic has released the Technic ENAT 5600, an electroless nickel devel-oped specifically to eliminate blackpad and improve soldering onENIG-coated PCBs. Technic EN AT5600 is the first electroless nickel
that provides lateral growth on cop-per, yielding a flatter surface withless pronounced grain boundariesinstead of the typical “cauliflower-like” structure from older formulas.Grain boundaries are where corro-sion products initiate, and underworst-case conditions can becomeblack pad.
Technic EN AT 5600 also featuresa unique additive system that pro-duces excellent solution stabilitythroughout its bath life, eliminatingthe need for any break-in periods.This provides significant overall costsavings by preventing plate out,increasing bath life and eliminatingthe use of dummy plating requiredby other systems. Technic EN AT5600 has been engineered to providea cost-effective solution whileimproving soldering and eliminat-ing defects.
“Conversion to lead-free alloys inelectronics has narrowed the operat-ing window on the assembly process,making it more important than everto have a pristine surface for solder-ing,” said Eric Stafstrom, Technic
Global Product Manager. “By pro-viding a flatter surface, Technic ENAT5600 is the only ENIG processthat provides a substantially bettersurface to solder to.”
For more information, please visitwww.technic.com.
HIGH LOAD CAPACITY OSCILLATORThe new oscillator for automatedpowder coating operations fromNordson Corporation is a 450 mmstroke oscillator that provides man-ufacturers with a high payloadcapacity of 80 kg and a maximumstroke speed of 40 cycles per minute.These two features combined trans-late into 16 guns and high linespeeds allowing for tall parts or partracks and high line speeds.
Incorporating a simplified design,the Nordson oscillator features apneumatic cylinder with accumula-tor counter-balance that results inenergy efficiency, low wear, and longlife of all moving parts. The counterbalance prevents drifting of the
machine when stopped. The pneu-matic cylinder provides air cushion-ing for the gear box and crank arm,resulting in less wear and longer life.This unique design from Nordsonalso allows the motor to run moreefficiently, resulting in lower operat-ing costs.
The Nordson oscillator is availablewith integrated variable-speed drivethat can be machine mounted orremotely located in the main systemcontrol panel for easy control andadjustment of oscillator strokespeed. Incorporating a plug-and-play design, the global oscillatorrequires simple connections forquick-and-easy installation andstart-up. Its new gun bars andclamps are also compatible withNordson reciprocators, eliminatinghandles to provide a clean and styl-ized appearance.
For more information, visitwww.nordson.com.
AUTOMATIC SPRAY GUNNordson Corporation has intro-duced the Quattro automaticspray gun, incorporating fastcycling, fine atomization and easymaintenance for higher productivityand improved finish quality in air-less painting applications.
The stainless-steel NordsonQuattro gun can be used for generalfinishing in either non-circulatingor circulating heated airless applica-tions. It features a four-in-one valvedesign to enhance automatic colorchanging without having to reposi-tion the spray gun. Up to four differ-ent colors can be used in the gun, orthree colors and a flushing solvent.Quattro guns produce fine atomiza-tion and a soft, controllable spray todeliver excellent finish quality withminimal overspray. Using Nordsonnozzles, the gun can provideimproved atomization with a widerange of coating materials, includ-ing high solids and other difficult-to-spray coatings for minimal paintwaste. An optional Nordson heateris available to reduce and controlmaterial viscosity for improved oper-ating performance and efficiency.
The Quattro gun incorporates a
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modular design that allows for quickremoval of the spray device, facilitat-ing repair and maintenance withminimal downtime. In addition, thegun’s Teflon-coated packing car-tridge resists material buildup on theshaft and spring. The gun’s ball tipand seat design ensures fast, cleanon/off operation to eliminate drip-ping and spitting for reduced rejects,booth cleanup and material costs.Few moving parts ensure ease ofinstallation and operation. TheQuattro gun can be mounted on a ½inch round bar.
For more information, visitwww.nordson.com.
INDUSTRIAL CLEANERSMacDermid has developed a com-plete line of industrial cleaners thatare environmentally friendly, offerimproved cleaning, longer life, lowuse cost and simplified waste treat-ment. Metex Elite 510 P is a caustic-free, non-silicated, mild alkalinecleaner for aluminum. At tempera-tures below 160°F (71°C), MetexElite 510 P performs as a non-etchcleaner with optimum retention oforiginal surface conditions. Above170°F (77°C), its action results infaster cleaning accompanied by mildetching.
Metex Elite 520 L is a highly con-centrated builder base designed to beused with Tensid 561 in either soakor electrocleaner applications. Itsunique blend of builders allows it tobe used for steel, copper, brass andzinc die-cast applications. MetexElite 520 L is phosphate free and
contains no chelating agents for easeof waste treatment operations.
Metex Elite 540 P is a highly effi-cient, alkaline soak cleaner, formu-lated for use on steel, copper andbrass substrates. Metex Elite 540 Poffers unmatched cleaning abilityfrom a powdered soak cleaner. Thesurfactants in Metex Elite 540 P areextremely free rinsing for minimaldrag down of solution to the subse-quent baths in the cycle.
For more information, visitwww.macdermid.com.
“GREEN” SURFACE CLEANER Walter Surface Technologies haslaunched AF-CLEAN, an environ-
mentally friendlysurface cleanerand degreaserdesigned toreplace toxic sol-vents in thepreparation andcleaning ofmetallic surfacesprior to treat-ment. Thisnewest innova-
tion from the company’s Bio-CircleEnvironmental Solutions divisionunderscores Walter’s commitment to“Making Green Work.”
As an alternative to acetone ortoluene for surface preparation, AF-CLEAN cleans and prepares metallic
surfaces prior topainting, prim-ing, coating, glu-ing, corrosionprotection, aswell as cleaningmoulds for plas-tic injection.Compared to tra-ditional solvents,AF-CLEAN isnon-flammable,VOC-reduced ,biodegradable,
and less volatile than toxic solventcompounds.
AF-CLEAN also offers economicbenefits. Since acetone evaporates upto 90% of its volume before it actual-ly cleans, AF-CLEAN is eight timesmore efficient than acetone, the
company said. AF-CLEAN’s alu-minum bottles can be filled and re-filled with Walter’s Air Force auto-matic refilling station.
The liquid is available in a 10-litre(2.64 gal) bag-in-box and in a bulk208-litre drum. AF-CLEAN and theAir Force refilling system significant-ly reduce costs for storage, handling,and disposal.
For more information, please visitwww.walter.com.
POWDER COATINGSAkzoNobel Powder Coatings hasintroduced the Interpon IT TrendRange. Featuring new colors and fin-ishes, as well as improved coatingperformance, the new range address-es the developing needs of the IT andconsumer electronics market.
The Interpon IT Trend range fore-casts color trends that industryexperts have identified for the com-ing year. The range is comprised offour families: the Galaxy range, SolidSoft Touch, the Anodic range andAnodic Soft Touch.
All products in this range areachieved in a single coat. As a result,they offer significant cost benefitsover alternative coating solutions,such as reducing time, materials andenergy requirements. This is in addi-tion to the environmental benefitsinherent in powder coatings—noVOCs or toxic heavy metals and theability to reclaim and recycle over-spray.
According to AkzoNobel, the newrange has been well received byselected industrial design groupswho were offered a sneak preview of
the exciting new colors and finishes.All products in the range are avail-able globally and are compliant withthe upgraded Interpon ITMasterSpec.
For more information, please visitwww.akzonobel.com.
SELF-HEALING CONVERSIONCOATING NEI Corporation has completed theinitial development of Nanomyte®PT 60, a chromate free, self healingconversion coating that significantlyimproves the corrosion resistance ofmagnesium alloys. A conversioncoating, only a few micrometersthick, forms on the surface of a mag-nesium part when immersed inNanomyte® PT 60, a waterbornesolution. The coating has the abilityto “self heal,” i.e., repair itself ifscratched or damaged, thereby pro-viding active corrosion protection. Insalt fog exposure experiments(ASTM B117), magnesium AZ91Dpanels coated only with Nanomyte®PT 60 show minimal corrosion pit-ting after 10 days (240 hours). Incontrast, AZ91D panels with conven-tional pretreatments begin to pitafter 24 hours.
Magnesium alloys are of increasinginterest to several industries, such asautomotive, construction, medical,computers, communication andconsumer electronics, as well as themilitary. The light weight of magne-sium allows increased fuel efficiencyand energy savings. However, magne-sium alloys have a high tendency tocorrode. Coatings made with hexava-lent chromium (chromate) provideadequate corrosion resistance, butthey are no longer acceptable for usein a majority of industrial, commer-cial and some military applicationsdue to the adverse environmentaland health effects of chromium.
Nanomyte® PT 60 chromate-free,self-healing conversion coating is adrop-in replacement for chromate,and it can be applied as a stand-alonebarrier layer that protects the metalfrom exposure to corrosive liquids or
gases, or as a pretreatment thatimproves adhesion with overlyingpaint layers.
For more information, please visitwww.neicorporation.com.
PLATING PROCESS CHEMISTRIESTechnic, Inc. has entered the finalphase of development on enablingtechnologies designed to reduce theuse of gold in electronic packaging
and connector applications. The newline of products will be marketedunder the name Goldeneye, consist-ing of equipment, electroplatingchemistry, and ancillary processchemistries. The Goldeneye technol-ogy encompasses newly developedbarrier layers for improved compo-nent performance, gold replacementtechnology, and post-treatmentprocesses aimed at further reducinggold consumption. The Goldeneyeproduct line will offer measurablegold reduction without sacrificingthe quality of the resultant finishesand be applicable to a wide variety ofapplications.
“With gold at record valuations,the demand for gold conservation inthe electronics industry is intense,”said Rob Schetty, vice president,Technic Advanced TechnologyDivision. “With Technic’s GoldeneyeGold Reduction Technology, we arecreating an integrated portfolio oftechnically advanced products thatenable low-cost finishes for electron-ic devices without compromise tothe integrity or quality of our cus-tomers’ products.”
For more information, visitwww.technic.com/goldeneye.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLBOOTHTri-Mer Corporation has intro-duced the Tri-Flow EnvironmentalControl Booth. The Tri-FlowEnvironmental Booth was designed
for plant areas where dirty and/ornoisy tasks need to be confined totheir own workspace. The Tri-FlowEnvironmental Control Booth pro-vides HEPA level filtration perform-ance and has an MERV 16 rating. It is99.99% efficient on particles 0.5micron and larger by weight.Perforated acoustical panels containand absorb noise generated insidethe booth.
Tri-Flow Environmental Boothsprovide reliable and consistent cap-ture velocities at the booth openingand throughout the booth. There isno air turbulence, no hot spots andno uncomfortable drafts to interferewith operator productivity. The cap-ture velocity provided throughoutthe booth means that workers arenot confined or tied to a fixed work
space, hood, hose, etc. Because thecollector pulls in dust through agrille that extends the full width ofthe booth, workers can freely per-form tasks throughout the work-space. Typical inlet velocities rangefrom 125-150 FPM.
Tri-Flow booths operate at a signif-icantly lower pressure drop than tra-ditional cartridge filters. This resultsin lower energy consumption as wellas longer filter life. Typically, Tri-Flow filters have a productive servicelife three to five times that of con-ventional filters.
Tri-Flow booths use low-speed,low-noise direct-drive blowers thatare an integral part of the booth andpower module. A timer-controlled,automatic pulse-jet cleaning systemuses solenoid valves and blow-downpipes to assure that the booth main-tains its capture velocity by measur-ing filter pressure drop and automat-
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ically cleaning the filters on demand. Tri-Flow booths feature a smooth,
ledge-free interior to minimize dustaccumulation. Each booth is cus-tom-configured to suit the applica-tion, and can be expanded as facilityneeds change.
For more information, please visitwww.tri-mer.com.
TRUE BLACK PVD COATINGVapor Tech has introduced theworld’s first true black advancedLTAVD (Low Temperature ArcVapor Deposition) coating.
Vapor Tech’s coating capabilitiescover the spectrum of metallic col-ors, but until now, it has beenextremely difficult for anyone to pro-duce a true, neutral black using PVDtechniques. Vapor Tech’s processresults in stable, repeatable and cus-tomizable colorfast coatings that willnot fade or shift, and the low-tem-perature LTAVD process allows thenew black to adhere to a variety ofmaterials, including electroplatedplastics, without damaging the part.
“After more than a decade of devel-opment and discovery by the indus-try’s most experienced coating tech-nology team, Vapor Tech engineershave integrated a proprietary opticalabsorption process into our provenline of thin-film deposition systemsto deliver the darkest, most durable,pure black cosmetic finish to ourexpanding color palette,” said VaporTech president David Humenik.
For more information, please visitwww.vaportech.com.
YELLOW RESIN BASESPPG Industries’ commercial coat-ings group has introduced two high-hiding, yellow urethane resin basesintended to provide increased hidingpower for select industrial colors.AUE-300YL and AUE-360YL join theAUE-300 Low-VOC UrethaneEnamel and AUE-360 High-SolidsUrethane Enamel topcoat systems,respectively, and are part of the PPGCommercial Performance Coatingsportfolio of products.
“AUE-300YL and AUE-360YL havebeen used to reformulate certain col-ors in the two-book PPGCommercial Performance Coatingscolor selector,” said Steve Podlas,PPG brand manager for commercialcoatings. “We identified 25 colors ashaving formulations that often takefive or six coats to achieve hidingusing the standard, clear mixingresin. With AUE-300YL and AUE-360YL, we can provide 30 to 35 per-cent better hiding than the originalformulation.”
Hiding, or “hiding power,” is theability of a paint film to mask a coloror pattern on the surface the paintfilm covers. According to Podlas, thenew resins’ yellow color gives themenhanced hiding capability. This, inturn, reduces the number of coatsrequired in an application andresults in lower labor and materialcosts for the end user.
AUE-300YL and AUE-360YL arerecommended for interior and exteri-or use on properly prepared surfaces.Application examples include: metalfabrication, castings, cabinets,machinery and heavy equipment.AUE-360YL offers excellent exteriordurability, mar and chemical resist-ance, UV resistance, and high dryfilm hiding capability with minimalcoats.
For more information, visitwww.ppgcommercialcoatings.com.
GAS-FIRED INFRARED CURE OVENCatalytic Industrial Systems hasintroduced a gas-fired infrared cur-ing oven, a unique system that com-bines process flexibility, long servicelife and strong environmental advan-tages on two important fronts: ener-gy efficiency and emissions.
Catalytic infrared cure ovens are
ideally suited for the curing ofpaints, powders, adhesives and othermaterials, and provide highly effi-cient transfer of heat energy to partsmanufactured from metal, polymers,and other substrates. The flameless,low-intensity infrared energy used inthe Catalytic system heats objects,rather than air, so fuel efficiency ismaximized.
Operation is simple: natural gas (orpropane) contacts oxygen in the airin the presence of a catalyst. Thechemical interaction produces heatand reduces the gas to carbon diox-ide and water vapor. There is noflame, because the reaction occurs ata temperature below the ignitiontemperature of gas.
Catalytic infrared cure ovens aremanufactured in batch and continu-ous-run formats, and are customdesigned for greatest compatibilitywithin the production line, and mostefficient equipment footprint.Systems are also engineered to pro-duction requirements, and curingspecifications for waterborne, sol-vent-based and powder paint appli-cations.
Key features of the CatalyticInfrared Curing Oven include apurge cycle before start-up, compli-ance with NFPA 86, and pre-assem-bled PLC-controlled gas trains thatinclude gas pressure regulators, highand low safety switches, and modu-lating gas valves. Heater zones arepiped in loops for uniformity of gasflow and pressure. Oven and con-trols are fully assembled and testedbefore shipment.
For more information, please visitwww.catalyticirovens.com
HIGH EFFICIENCY FINISHINGMACHINERichwood Surface Technologies(RST) has introduced a new design ofa high efficiency finishingmachine. The basic design configu-ration has two straight and twoslanted barrels. The slanted barrelconfiguration forces the media toflow over the parts in a “figure-eight”pattern, allowing the media to moreefficiently debur typical slots andthrough holes than a standard
straight barrel configuration. Thisyields a 50% increase in media flowper cycle.
RST can also manufacture anymachine with all four barrels in a
slanted configuration, or allstraight as the customer desires. Allmachines come in a CS economymodel, LC steel model, and CVstainless steel model. They are man-ufactured in standard capacities of10 liters, 1 cubic foot, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 12up to 23 cubic feet, with motorsthat range from 1 to 100 horsepow-er. Drive options include belt, chain,and gear. Barrel sizes range from4.5-inch diameter x 6.5-inch lengthto 16-inch diameter x 48-inchlength lined in rubber or polyethyl-ene. The company can also makebarrels in half sizes to accommodatespecial applications.
For more information, please visitwww.richwoodindustries.com.
TRAINING MANUAL The Chemical Coaters AssociationInternational (CCAI) has justreleased a new edition of the trainingmanual, Pretreatment forIndustrial Finishing Applications.This manual is a guide to surfacecleaning and conversion coatingmethods used in effective industrialfinishing operations. It includes the
latest information on pretreatmentthrough the efforts of CCAI’s corpo-rate members under the guidance ofeditor, Duane Fudge of Chemetall.
The new edition of the CCAIPretreatment manual was reviewedand re-written to include informa-tion about current technology andmethods for paint pretreatment.There is also a new chapter dis-cussing the latest advances in pre-treatment technology, AdvancedPretreatments.
Pretreatment for Industrial FinishingApplications is 122 pages and containschapters on: Introduction, Cleaning,Phosphating, AdvancedPretreatments, Rinsing, Substrates,Washer Design, Maintenance andControl, Performance, WasteTreatment, and Troubleshooting.
In the past year, CCAI has revisedtwo additional training manuals:Electrodeposition and Powder Coatings.All manuals contain updated andnew materials reflecting the currentstate of finishing technologies.
For more information, please visitwww.ccaiweb.com.
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